Intelli-CAM incorporates Spatial’s 3D InterOp to import CAD files from various 3D sources, and applies custom technologies contributed by Omax and Spatial, such as the AutoPath function or slice plane to convert the geometry into full 3D paths for waterjet cutting.

Merging Technologies for “3D Toolpathing” in Waterjet Machining

Omax Corporation and Spatial Corporation report they have combined their individual expertise and technologies to create what they describe as the “easiest-to-use 3D toolpathing solution” available for waterjet machining systems, namely for the Omax JetMachining® centers. Their Intelli-CAM™ software generates toolpaths from solid 3D models, and executes 3D-to-2D file conversions quickly.

Omax is one of the largest developers of advanced abrasive waterjet cutting machines and technologies. Spatial Corp. supplies 3D development components for manufacturing applications.

Intelli-CAM incorporates Spatial’s 3D InterOp to import CAD files from various 3D sources, including CATIA, SolidWorks®, Solid Edge, Autodesk® Inventor®, Siemens® NX, Pro/E®, Creo®, and others. Then, Intelli-CAM applies custom technologies contributed by Omax and Spatial, such as the AutoPath function or slice plane to convert the geometry into full 3D paths suitable for waterjet cutting, ensuring high precision part designs in the shortest time, and with minimal operator involvement.

“Helping Omax expand the 3D capabilities of Intelli-CAM highlights the power of the Spatial component platform and the value our partnership with Omax,” explained Vivekan Iyengar, vice president of research and development for Spatial.

“For Spatial, data reuse means delivering data in a manner that allows applications to more easily integrate into existing workflows with minimal disruption and high reliability. Reliability is important to Omax,” he continued. “To their end user, any problem in the workflow has an associated cost and is typically seen as a problem in the application, not as a problem in the integrity of the incoming CAD model.

“3D InterOp does the most to prevent the user from ever seeing those problems by automatically cleaning and repairing the CAD model during the import process,” Iyengar added.

According to Carl Olsen, lead software engineer for the waterjet technology developer, Spatial’s 3D InterOp technology allows Omax to provide extremely reliable and proven 3D-file import capabilities to its JetMachining Center owners. “Our customers can now import practically any major 2D or 3D CAD drawing out there, which is especially beneficial to job shops because they often don’t know the original CAD system for a file,” he said. “Plus, they don’t have to purchase expensive CAD software filter packages.”

Olsen also noted that Omax customers doing 3D programming for five-axis waterjet cutting would find Intelli-CAM greatly simplifies those operations, suggesting that Intelli-CAM “may be the easiest to use five-axis CAM software ever.”

Intelli-CAM, which interfaces directly with Omax’s intuitive Intelli-MAX® Software Suite, is available as a free update to Omax JetMachining Center owners, and backed by the company’s unparalleled support.